Morris School District reports $8 million-plus in summer capital upgrades

Glenn Miller, director of buildings and grounds for the Morris School District, told the school board the district completed more than $8,000,000 in capital improvements over the summer.

Miller said the work included partial roof replacements at the high school, new HVAC units and ductwork in multiple classrooms, interior renovations to six science classrooms, atrium and guidance-office renovations, asbestos abatement where old flooring glue was removed, and the installation of a new security vestibule that is nearing completion. “We did 6 science classrooms…we also had to do asbestos abatements for the glue underneath the floor tile,” he said.

The superintendent and board members emphasized the scope of the work, noting the district also replaced boilers with more-efficient models and installed a new elevator and modern, code-compliant bleachers. Miller described the new boiler system as “around 94% efficiency,” and said the work included extensive exterior paving and drainage fixes to improve access and durability.

Board members praised the buildings-and-grounds staff and said the projects exposed broader, long-term needs. One board member noted the discovery of a large void beneath a main entrance and said the district had to truck in cement to fill it; Miller said the slab remained structurally sound but the void allowed water infiltration.

The board said the summer projects were important but reiterated that many buildings have aging systems that will require strategic, long-term planning and possibly a bond referendum to stabilize facility infrastructure. The board will continue long-range facility planning work in committee and keep the community informed of next steps.

The board heard the report and thanked Miller and his team; no separate vote was required on the informational presentation.